For several years now the folks at Focus on the Family have designated October as “Clergy Appreciation Month”.  As H.B. London has pointed out, all pastors need 3 things:

1. They need congregations who are united and who serve together in love.

2.  The need freedom to dream.  A pastor without a dream is a pastor who is treading water or settling for the ordinary.

3.  They need prayer.

As the founding pastor of CLC, I can honestly say that the precious folks I serve graciously meet each of those needs in my life.  I’ve been reminded again the last couple of weeks of how you care for us, and Chris and I have both been moved to tears by the outpouring of love in the form of flowers and cards and meals and voicemails and emails that you have showered on us during her illness.

However, I also know that often times that kind of love and honor is shown to senior pastors, while others who serve just as devotedly and who experience just as much stress and spiritual attacks from the enemy are perhaps overlooked.  So I’m writing this post to ask CLCers to show your appreciation this month to our whole pastoral team: Steve & Shae Wasmundt, Dan & Pat Johnson, Jaime & Jeanette Flores, the Kim’s, and Doug & Shanna Neal, as well as the Ministry Directors who serve in some of the most vital areas of ministry: Joe & Sarah Dascenzo, Brent & Sol McQuay, Jon & Rachel Jones, Marcus & Monika Moore, Chad & Lisa Wasmundt, Beth Steindel, Carl Banks, Kevin & Tarshwa Carter and Eduardo & Amber Marroquin.  Without them, I promise you that Chris and I wouldn’t be very effective in leading CLC.

What can you do to honor them?  Well, the folks at Focus on the Family have several ideas at their site, but I can tell you that words have so much power - your kind words: spoken, printed in a card, sent in an email, or left on a voicemail - always lift and encourage us, and become fuel for continued passion in service.  I hope you’ll bless these deserving team members in October the way you bless me all year long.